In light of the regional elimination goal of 2030, a strong surveillance system for monitoring malaria trends and detect outbreaks is vital for ensuring that national malaria programmes can rapidly and effectively respond. Quality data is required to guide programme planning, resource management, and monitor programme functionality. Not only does good data quality improve targeted responses, it also allows programmes to better leverage funding. For this Surveillance and Response Working Group TechTalks on Data Quality for Elimination, speakers from MEASURE Malaria and national programmes in Lao PDR and Bangladesh will discuss the importance of data quality, tools that may be used to conduct rapid quality assessments, and best practices for addressing data quality challenges in the various stages from data collection to management.

- Opening remarks: 

• Dr Rattanaxay Phetsouanh, Director General of Department of Communicable Disease Control, Lao PDR, and Chair of APMEN Surveillance and Response Working Group. 

- Facilitator: 

• Prof Richard J Maude, Head of Epidemiology Department, Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, and Co-Chair of APMEN Surveillance and Response Working Group. 

- Panellists 

• Dr Yazoumé Yé, Vice President, Malaria Surveillance and Research, ICF, and Technical Director, PMI Measure Malaria Project (PMM); 

• Dr Phoutnalong Vilay, Head of Epidemiology Section, Centre for Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology (CMPE), Ministry of Health, Lao PDR; and 

• Dr Md Mosiqure Rahaman, Epidemiologist, National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Bangladesh.

There were 359 registrations from 55 countries for this event, of which 156 individuals from 39 countries attended the webinar.